Karwa Chauth is not just about dressing up and wearing beautiful jewellery. For many women, it's also an opportunity to pay extra attention to their skincare and overall appearance. While the face usually gets most of the attention, the hands and feet deserve care too—especially when you're planning to apply mehndi and mahavar.

Karwa Chauth will be celebrated on October 29, 2026. If you're preparing for the festival, starting a simple skincare routine in advance can help your skin look smoother and more refreshed rather than trying a new remedy at the last minute.

One homemade ubtan combines ingredients such as gram flour, orange peel powder, turmeric, rose powder, sandalwood and aloe vera. Here's how you can prepare and use it as part of your body-care routine.

Gather these ingredients

For the dry ubtan mix, you can use:

• Orange peel powder

• Gram flour (besan) or rice flour

• Sandalwood powder

• Turmeric powder

• Rose petal powder

• Licorice (mulethi) powder

You will also need aloe vera gel and either plain yogurt or milk to turn the dry mixture into a paste.

Prepare the dry ubtan mixture

Take equal quantities of the dry powders and mix them thoroughly. For example, you can start with around two teaspoons of each ingredient.

Transfer the mixture to a clean, airtight container and store it in a dry place. Make only as much as you can use comfortably and ensure that all ingredients are clean and dry before storing.

How to prepare the paste

Before your bath, take around two to three teaspoons of the prepared powder in a bowl. Add some aloe vera gel and plain yogurt or milk.

Mix everything until you get a smooth, spreadable paste. Adjust the quantity of the liquid ingredients depending on the consistency you prefer.

How to apply it

Apply a thin layer of the ubtan to your hands, feet and other areas of the body. You can also use it on your face and neck if your skin tolerates all the ingredients.

Leave it on for around 15–20 minutes. Don't wait until the mixture becomes completely dry and tight on the skin.

Once it has partially dried, wet your hands with a little water or rose water and gently massage the skin in circular motions while rinsing it off.

Avoid scrubbing aggressively, as excessive friction can irritate the skin.

Can it help with tanning and dead skin?

Ingredients such as gram flour can provide gentle physical exfoliation, while yogurt contains lactic acid that can mildly exfoliate the skin. The combination may leave the skin feeling smoother and cleaner.

However, a homemade ubtan cannot permanently remove tanning or dramatically change your natural skin tone. Consistent sunscreen use and gentle skincare are more important for preventing and managing tanning.

Don't skip the patch test

Natural ingredients can still cause irritation or allergic reactions. Before using the ubtan on a large area, apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area, such as the inner arm or behind the ear, and observe how your skin responds.

If you have sensitive, very dry or acne-prone skin, be particularly cautious. Stop using the mixture if you experience burning, itching, redness or irritation.

With a little consistency and gentle skincare, you can help your hands and feet look smoother and well cared for when you dress up for Karwa Chauth.